Damn the World, Ride a Submarine - Chapter 64



Only Krnovel

Episode 64 – Di Tobato

At the meeting to introduce the ESB (Expeditionary Sea Base) expeditionary mobile base ship, problems arising from the size of the hull exceeding 400m were raised one after another.

The main canal was simply impassable, regardless of safety or operational efficiency.

Crucially, the speed of the ship was too slow, and the prevailing opinion was that it could not even pass through the Suez Canal, let alone the Panama Canal.

‘Is the Jahre Viking just a dream for a big ship?’ I had a thought.

“Then how about operating two ESBs?”

– yes?

– Why do you want to do that?

-The U.S. Navy only has 4 ships?

“It goes beyond just serving as a mobile base for operations, so that the entire OSS and OSL can move base when a special situation arises.”

Various voices erupted one after another.

– yes?

-What about Shinheung Camp?

– Ah~

– Wow~

– Ah… what about the CEO…

– Then the total displacement of our ships is over 500,000 tons.

“yes. “I’ve thought a lot of what you’re thinking, too.”

“…”

“Shinheung Camp and TMSH are also our bases for tremendous efforts.”

– Well, how do I leave this place?

“Yes, of course.”

– How did you build this place…

“The important thing is that we are the ones to protect, not a handful of land.”

“…”

“I just want to create one more option in case of force majeure where we cannot protect this place.”

– ah …

– All right.

– Another threat…

Deputy Director Lee, who was listening from the side, blurted out a word as if he was talking to himself.

“Wow. Representative Lee! It looks like they are planning to create a small city-state floating on the sea, including cruise ships and ESB. “Hehehe”

“yes. In some ways, that expression may be correct.”

Colonel Kang In-su continued.

“If that’s what you meant. Two or more is okay. but ···.”

“but?”

“If it is such a special, emergency situation. It will also include various military conflicts. The defense is weak. This is especially true of air defense.”

“Yes, I am also worried about that part. “I would like to introduce an Aegis ship, but…”

– yes? Even in our country, there are only 5 ships…

“Yes, I know. The United States has close to 100 ships. “We have to find a way, and if it doesn’t work, we have to have an alternative.”

– If that happens, the OSS will surpass the naval power of any other Southeast Asian country except Singapore.

“Yes, that’s right. Anyway, I’m trying to find a way. “Like that”

– ???

“Couldn’t the propulsion system of the ESB being built be nuclear powered?”

First of all, it was just a word I threw around. But it was also something I wanted strongly in my heart.

– That would be difficult.

– The countries with technological prowess are the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and France… Russia has passed the water, China has no skills, and the United States is the same…

At this time, Deputy Director Lee cleared his throat, attracted the audience’s attention, and opened his mouth.

– Ugh!

Deputy Director Lee kept clearing his throat as if to say, ‘Listen carefully to what I say.’

– Let me tell you, Deputy Director.

“Introducing a nuclear propulsion system is not that impossible.”

“Is that true?”

“Hanwha Ocean! “You can make it yourself in our country.”

– yes?

– Is that possible?

– Should America just leave it alone?

Deputy Director Lee lowered himself and began speaking in a whisper.

“In the past… there was a time when the 2021 ROK-US missile range guidelines were completely abolished, right?”

– yes. Yes

– That’s right, until 2012, solid fuel rockets with a range of more than 300km could not be developed or owned, and the 800km limit was lifted only in 2021.

“that’s right. Missile range restrictions have been lifted for the first time in 42 years. “We have regained our sovereignty.”

– But why are you suddenly talking about missiles…

“Remember carefully, as soon as the missile range restrictions are lifted!!!”

Deputy Director Lee added strength to the end of his words.

“Wasn’t it strange that they announced the completion of development of various medium- and long-range missiles in just one or two months?”

– That’s right.

– Ah… So…

“yes. Even then, I couldn’t do it openly due to various problems and political pressure. “At that time, the development was being done secretly.”

– Oh, I guessed it, but…

“In fact, the United States also had an atmosphere of ‘Don’t get caught openly.’”

“then. Are you saying this is possible with our current technology?”

“Well, I don’t know the technical details. Our country has sufficient nuclear power generation technology. Building a nuclear reactor to be mounted on a ship!”

– ???

“When OSS asked Russia’s Sevmash to build a nuclear submarine, didn’t Hanwha Ocean engineers go there and learn?”

– ah ···.

“In fact, for that reason, even the headquarters (National Intelligence Service) tolerated OSS building nuclear submarines.”

– Still, the authorities do not allow it to be made domestically…

“Something like an aircraft carrier catches my eye! I can’t do it because it’s visible. If ESB is to remodel an oil tanker, and it is not a naval ship, it is worth a try.”

It was just a dream-like imagination, but it was a moment when it seemed possible that it could come true.

It was an amazing story. But I had no idea what to do first.

“If only it were really possible…”

“If Representative Lee’s will is clear. “I can explore possibilities.”

“please.”

“It is an opportunity for the nation to build a nuclear-powered ship without spending any money. “It might work.”

“yes yes. “Deputy Director Lee, please do your best.”

“I understand. If something goes wrong, I’ll have to get on that boat, so I’ll try my best. “Hehehe”

During the meeting, Director Kim Wan-jun picked up the phone and made eye contact with me. It seemed like an urgent call. When I winked, he was walking away.

When he came back into the conference room, his expression was not good. He opened his mouth in an urgent voice.

“CEO! “Something embarrassing happened.”

“It’s not a big deal if it’s embarrassing, so just tell me.”

“The Mindanao autonomous government is requesting military support.”

“Well, since everyone is gathered here, please speak right away.”

“The autonomous government has carried out an operation to eliminate the remnants of the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front), but they say they are outgunned.”

“What about the Philippine state government? Why us?”

“As you know. “The local government is reluctant to allow the Philippine military to intervene, and we are geographically close, so we are more trustworthy.”

“I guess we can’t refuse as long as we have our feet in Tawi-Tawi.”

I made eye contact with each person gathered in the conference room and issued orders.

“Director Kim Jun-myeong!”

“yes.”

“Please prepare for the operation below the Delta team. “Deploy quickly, but proceed slowly when engaging in combat after assessing all situations carefully.”

“all right.”

“Captain Kang In-su. Please place ship number 1 on standby for dispatch.”

“Yes, we are always on standby.”

“Captain Choi Eun-seok! “It may be tiring, but please prepare because Lee Hoi-young may be needed in an emergency.”

“Director Kim Wan-jun, please cooperate closely with the Mindanao autonomous government and prepare as much operational information as possible.”

The new base of the MILF remnants was Ditobato Island. It was 100km away from Tawi-Tawi, so it could have been a threat to us as well.

Because they and our OSS were to be saved, there was a need for us to clear them out this time. This was the same force that kidnapped OSS employees and demanded ransom.

I decided to board ship number 9 with Warrant Officer Seo Ji-seok and run the operational support unit and drone squadron.

We boarded ship number 9 with some of the crew of the ARK, which operated attack drones in Severodvinsk.

Four teams, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, and Golf, under Director Kim Jun-myeong boarded ship number 1 and departed for Ditobato Island first.

Warrant Officer Seo Ji-seok and I also boarded ship number 9 and immediately followed.

While moving, 30 Revolver 860 attack drones were placed on standby for sortie on the flight deck of ship number 9.

…

When I arrived at the Ditobato Island site, I felt like I could understand why the Mindanao Autonomous Army was having a hard time.

The ships of the Mindanao Autonomous Army also seemed to be floating in the sea, just watching.

About 100 meters after the gentle beach, there was a completely dense jungle.

The jungle was reminiscent of the German bunkers that massacred numerous Allied troops with machine guns on Omaha Beach during the Normandy landings.

It was obvious that a hasty landing or Operation Heliborne would create a target for the enemy.

I called director Kim Jun-myeong. (It seemed more convenient than a walkie-talkie.)

“As you can see, Director, a hasty landing or heliborne will not be allowed.”

“yes. I think so too. “This is like a regular war, different from an infiltration special operation.”

I thought we should make the most of our strengths and minimize the damage.

“First, before the sun sets, destroy the jungle at the landing site with naval guns. “It would be better to secure a beachhead through a night landing.”

“That would be great. “At night, we can demonstrate our combat power because our equipment is superior.”

“Director, even so, leave the jungle search to the Mindanao autonomous government forces. There is no need for us to take risks.”

“yes.”

“You think you are just giving the autonomous army a way into the jungle trench area. Please conduct a safe operation.”

“Yes, I understand what your representative means.”

First, we flew several 350 RTK reconnaissance drones and scouted the jungle area. As expected, the MILF was ambushed by creating trenches and cover in various places.

Heavy machine guns and RPG 7 were also seen. The dense trees blocked the sky, making it difficult to conduct precise bombardment with a drone.

Captain Shin Hee-rip, Captain Kang In-soo, and Director Kim Jun-myeong had a three-way phone call to discuss efficient artillery fire.

The conclusion was that overwhelming firepower must be mobilized and bombardment continued until just before landing to prevent the enemy from rebuilding the defense line.

The sound of the broadcast rang out from inside the telephone operator’s box.

– Practice! In practice!

– All in one! Combat deployment.

The sailors of the 9th ship were neatly positioned in their respective positions without the slightest hesitation or error.

First, the first ship’s guns began spewing fire. It was a 76mm 62 caliber Super Rapid naval gun.

– Tootong! Tudung! Tootong!

Ship No. 9’s 30mm autocannon also fired as if to the beat.

-Truntle, thump, thump, thump, thump.

Not to be outdone, the second ship’s MARLIN WS 30mm machine gun also opened fire.

– Empty, empty, empty… Empty.

At the same time, about ten 12.7mm heavy machine guns from both ships No. 1 and No. 9 began firing simultaneously.

– Ta ta ta ta ta bang, ta da da da…

Gunshots and gunshots covered the entire jungle, and wood fragments shattered by bullets filled the beach like smoke.

That’s how 30% of the ammunition was poured out.

And then the shooting stopped for a moment. They waited for the retreating enemy to rebuild their defense line.

…

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G650 ER